After searching for a new head coach for almost half a year, local football powerhouse FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have reportedly settled for decorated Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda.
A source confided in The Nation that the two parties have agreed terms for a two-year deal.
The source said Bullets settled for the 59-year-old tactician because his demands were affordable.
“The others, especially [German] Ernst Midderndop and [former Mighty Wanderers British mentor] Mark Harrison also met the requiments, but the club opted for Nyirenda because his demands were in line with the budget,” said the source.
He said the coach is set to be unveiled this week.
Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga had not responded to our questionnaire by press time yesterday.
But in an interview yesterday, Nyirenda, popularly known as ‘Wada Wada’ in Zambian football circles could neither deny nor confirm the deal.
“Ask Bullets, they would be in the better position to confirm,” he said.
According to cafonline.com, some of Nyirenda’s coaching CV highlights include being at the helm of two of Zambia’s big clubs Zesco United as well as Zanaco.
The coach was also technical adviser during Zambia’s Under-20 triumph in the African Youth Championship in 2017, now known as the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nyirenda boasts of won five league titles as a head coach in Zambia for two top teams Zesco United and Zanaco FC.
He also won the Mozambican top-flight Mocambola League with Ferroviario de Beira in 2019.
Beyond Zambian borders, the former striker has also played and coached in South Africa. He played for Kaizer Chiefs in 1993 and returned later as coach of Baroka FC in 2018.
Nyirenda is a firm believer of young talent, having worked with Zambia’s youth national teams in the past where he enjoyed great success.
The coach has unique ability of analysing oppositions’ strengths and capitalising on this through modifying his game model around his team’s own strengths.
The position of Bullets head coach fell vacant in December last year when they parted ways with Peter Mponda.
He was replaced in an interim capacity by assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa who led the team to win the Castel Challenge Cup final and sealed the runners-up slot in the flagship league.
The People’s Team parted ways with Chirwa on May 28 after overseeing six matches in the FDH Bank Premiership, winning twice and drawing four times. He was replaced by Heston Munthali on interim basis.
